Rio de Janiero: "Whole Planet Carnival"
Easily one of the most celebrated and exhilarating events
worldwide is the Rio Carnival, in Rio de Janeiro. Occurring each year, 40 days before Easter,
hundreds of thousands of people flock to the streets of Rio to partake in what
is known as the “whole planet carnival”, partying in wildly colorful costumes
and rocking to the beat of samba music.
If ever there were a festival to attend, the Rio Carnival is it. But be forewarned, it’s not for the casual
observer.
History of Carnival
The roots of this annual celebration can be traced all the
way back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who used to celebrate the rites of spring. It is the Portuguese, however, who are
credited with bringing the concept of the carnival to Rio back in 1850. Over
the years, the event has evolved into a rich mixture of culture and expression,
and has now become a four-day long extravaganza filled with brilliant costumes,
electrifying parades and titillating ethnic music.
Party like a Rock Star in Rio de Janiero
The immense planning for the carnival takes practically the
entire previous year, and the festivities are not confined just to the
streets. Celebrations take place all
over Brazil, in bars, clubs and other venues, where people gather to party day
and night, seemingly infected with the electricity and excitement that
permeates the entire country during that time.
The Rio Carnival Parade, also known as the Samba Parade, is
the culmination of the event, during which people from all walks of life join
together to let loose and party. A
smorgasbord of cultures and social classes unite, from the poorest residents to
famous actors, from gays and drag queens to dazzling samba dancers, all gather to
the delight of the near half million tourists who travel to take part in the
most famous carnival on Earth.
Visitors who venture to Rio for the Carnival can expect to
witness one of the most brilliant displays of color and texture, with unique
and vibrant costumes adorned with feathers and fanfare. The sultry beat of the samba music that plays
day and night during the festivities is sure to get even the most conservative
observer shaking their hips to the rhythm.
In fact, for a fee, anyone can hop up on one of the carnival platforms
and dance along.
Staying Safe in Rio at Carnival
Of course, as with any event of this magnitude, people
attending should take appropriate precautions to ensure they remain safe. Police can be located throughout the streets to
assist you, but you should also take your own measures to prevent incidents
like pick-pocketing from happening to you.
Keep items like cameras and purses close to your person at all times,
and carefully conceal cash or credit cards.
Practice appropriate crowd safety precautions and always remain aware of
your surroundings.
Oh, and for the record, the term “safety” doesn’t just refer
to crowd control. Given the sensual and
carefree nature of the event, guests should also be cautioned to practice safe
sex as well. In fact, carnival
authorities feel so strongly about this that each year they hand out millions
of free condoms. Remember – it’s ok to
have fun, but there are some souvenirs you don’t want to go home with.
If you’re looking for a chance to party like a rock star and
learn about the rich culture and beauty of another country, then the Rio
Carnival should be on your itinerary of places to go. You are guaranteed to have an experience
you’ll never forget.
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